Rescue therapy with romiplostim for refractory primary immune thrombocytopenia during pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Aug;124(2 Pt 2 Suppl 1):481-483. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000371.

Abstract

Background: Primary immune thrombocytopenia is not a rare event during pregnancy, and it must be carefully managed to avoid hemorrhagic complications for the mother. After failure of first-line treatments, the teratogenicity and toxicity of other therapeutic agents limit the available options and treatment.

Cases: We describe the cases of two pregnant patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune thrombocytopenia who were successfully treated by romiplostim, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, without any fetal or maternal complications.

Conclusion: Romiplostim may represent an important alternative treatment choice during pregnancy for immune thrombocytopenia cases refractory to first-line therapy, especially because of its speed of action and high efficacy. Nevertheless, further data are required to provide definitive evidence of its safety for newborns.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications / metabolism
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / drug therapy*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / metabolism
  • Receptors, Fc / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin / agonists
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Thrombopoietin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Receptors, Fc
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Thrombopoietin
  • romiplostim